Full Breakdown
Driver Fined After Paying ULEZ Charge
9/8/2026, 12:45:59 PM
Driver Fined After Paying ULEZ Charge
A couple in their 80s who paid the £12.50 London Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) charge on an American Express card were later issued a £90 penalty for non-payment. Their card issuer confirmed the payment had been authorised, but Transport for London (TfL) did not collect the funds. When the driver presented both the banking-app screenshot and a letter from American Express confirming the transaction, TfL maintained that it had no record of receipt and demanded payment of the fine. The driver’s appeal was rejected, and the letter from TfL warned that failure to pay could lead to a £180 fine, rising to £360, and even the possible destruction of the vehicle.
ULEZ Charge System and Prior Issues
The ULEZ charge is required for vehicles entering the designated low-emission area. TfL has previously assured the public that its payment-processing systems were updated in 2019 to prevent missed collections. Nonetheless, the driver reports a recurring pattern in which fully paid-up drivers receive fines because TfL—or its acquiring bank—fails to record the payment. The driver notes that similar incidents have occurred with other congestion-related charges.
TfL’s Response to the Complaint
TfL acknowledged the incident in a phone call, offering an apology and a refund for the fine. In a written statement, TfL said that cases where payment is not taken are “rare” and that established processes exist to prevent fines in such situations. The agency added that the specific case had not followed those processes and that it was reminding its contractor of the correct procedures for handling similar incidents.
Consequences for Elderly Drivers
The driver, who relies on a car for hospital appointments, described paying the £90 fine “under duress.” The threat of escalating penalties and potential vehicle seizure creates significant hardship for older motorists who depend on their vehicles for essential travel. The driver’s experience highlights concerns about administrative competence and the impact of procedural failures on vulnerable road users.
